European Claims in Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter 17 Section 3

Competition for West Africa In the past: major center of slave trade. Now: used for trading things like palm oil, feathers, ivory, rubber…etc. West Africans – strongly resisted imperialist nations.

Early 1900’s France, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, and Portugal own most of West Africa. Liberia – only independent colony in West Africa U.S. helped them stay independent.

Livingstone and Stanley Dr. David Livingstone – Scottish medical missionary. Missing in Central Africa for 5 years. Henry Stanley – American journalist Hired by New York Herald to find Livingstone

Livingstone and Stanley (cont.) In 1871, Stanley found Livingstone Uttered greeting that became famous around the world, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Wrote about search and good land to explore.

King Leopold II of Belgium listened to Stanley The Congo King Leopold II of Belgium listened to Stanley Private colony ~1 million sq. miles Treated them very poorly Slave labor for rubber production OUTRAGE from other countries – led to Belgian Congo 1908

East African Colonization Drought led to famine Imported cattle brought illness to African cattle, by 1890 most of the cattle had died Africans were too weak to resist

Cape Colony – South Africa Early 1800’s seized by British Southern Africa Cape Colony – South Africa Used by Dutch as supply station Early 1800’s seized by British 14,000 farmers, resent the British – Known as the Boers (ancestors of Dutch settlers)

1884 – European leaders met Berlin Conference Resolve conflicts over African colonies Africans have no say Divided colonies amongst themselves

Berlin Conference 1884 – 1885: 12 European nations, U.S. and Ottoman Empire meet (no African reps) Decisions: Free trade on Congo & Niger Rivers Had to gain control of colony before claiming it No arms sales to Africans

Effects of Imperialism on Africa Paternalism – treated colonies like “children” Believed Africans could not rule themselves, controlled all aspects of their lives. New crops, inventions, techniques, medicine, roads, communication. Assimilation never happened; passive resistance instead.